“Riverdale” alum KJ Apa recalled an incident where co-star Cole Sprouse punched him in the face at a strip club, describing it as a “wake-up call” during a period when he was struggling with drug use.
Speaking on a recent episode of the “Wildmen” podcast, the 29-year-old actor explained that his friends were concerned about his drug use. Sprouse, aware of Apa's struggles, delivered the physical intervention. "He had learned that I was doing drugs again," Apa told podcast co-hosts Dylan Sprouse, Cole's twin brother, and Brendan Columbus.
Apa, who played Archie Andrews on the CW show from 2017 to 2023, referred to the punch as a "love punch," given his friends' concern for his well-being. Dylan Sprouse recounted witnessing the event, noting that Apa ran away from the situation. "I looked at my brother after that, and I was like, 'Dude, you could have just died,'" Dylan said, emphasizing the severity of Apa's drug use at the time.
Dylan also described chasing after Apa, who had fled the scene. "You might still have the voicemail," Dylan quipped to his brother, recalling the pursuit. He expressed that the incident highlighted the strong bond between Apa and Cole Sprouse, who played Jughead Jones on the series.
Elsewhere in the podcast appearance, Apa opened up about his past struggles with addiction and an eating disorder. He described instances of binge eating and purging while filming “Riverdale” in Canada, attributing these “unhealthy” habits partly to the show's environment, including constant exposure and the pressures of fame.
Apa publicly announced his sobriety last year, stating that the birth of his son, Sasha, was a significant factor in his recovery. The episode also featured a mention of SAMHSA’s National Helpline for those affected by addiction issues.